LOS ANGELES – A shorthanded Loyola Marymount University women's basketball squad opened their 2020-21 season against the University of Southern California Wednesday afternoon. While four Lions scored in the double-digits, the team wasn't able to come out with the win, falling to the Trojans 85-55. 
 
Both teams went scoreless for the first three minutes of the game until USC made the first basket. The Lions tied things up after CiCi Ellington made the first basket for the Lions. The Lions stayed competitive, but trailed behind closing out the first quarter down 19-11. 
 
Khari Clark opened up the second quarter with a layup, and then Ellington added two more points to the board, shortening the Trojans lead. Nicole Rodriguez made her first basket as a Lion to bring the score to 25-17. USC went on a 14-2 run, to extend their lead to 33-17. The Lions then went on a 9-3 run to close out the second half 41-28. 
 
Ellington opened up the second half with a layup. The team continued to battle throughout the third, closing out the quarter down 62-46. 
 
Rodriguez kept her momentum going in the fourth, opening up the quarter with a jumper. The Lions fought, but the Trojans came out on top, closing out the game 85-55. 
 
Ellington and Mandel led the team in points with 13, while Clark had 12 and Natalia Klimek had 11.  Rodriguez led the team in both assists and rebounds with four and nine, respectively. Klimek led the team in three points made with three. Rodriguez and Clark both played a full 40 minutes of basketball, while leading in their respective areas. 
 
The Lions shot 38.2 percent from the field, while going 60 percent from the line. LMU had three blocks, compared to USC's two. All three of the Lions' blocks came from Mandel. 
 
The Lions look ahead to their home opener next week against UC Irvine in Gersten Pavilion.